Is It Time for In-Home Care?

Your dad wants to age at home, but he admits it’s getting hard to manage several of his usual routines. How can you tell when it’s time for in-home care services?

He Can’t Keep Up With Housework and Laundry

In-Home Care Long Prairie, MN: Time for Home Care

You stop by to see your dad and his floors are covered in pet hair. He’s in dirty, smelly clothing and says he hasn’t had time to do the laundry this month. You look in his kitchen, and the fridge is full of expired dairy products and moldy leftovers. He has pizza boxes sitting on top of his trash bin.

When you ask him about housework, he makes excuses or is upfront and says he can’t keep up with it. That’s a good sign that he could use help with housekeeping and laundry duties.

He Can’t Drive

After his last appointment, your dad’s doctor told him that he needs to stop driving. His vision has worsened or his reaction times are slow. Your dad may not be able to turn far enough to check his blind spots while changing lanes or backing up.

If your dad isn’t supposed to drive, a caregiver can stop by and take him shopping. He can rely on a caregiver for his appointments or when he needs to run errands.

He Forgets to Take His Medications

Your dad has heart disease and is supposed to take his medications every day. He keeps forgetting, and his doctor warns him it’s putting his health at risk. With caregivers stopping by, he has someone to remind him to take his daily pills.

He Doesn’t Like to or Can’t Cook

Your dad has never enjoyed cooking. He may not be able to cook due to arthritis pain in the fingers and hands. If he can’t or won’t cook meals, it’s time to hire caregivers. Takeout may be easy, but it’s often loaded with saturated fat, sugar, and sodium.

With a caregiver preparing his meals, your dad eats foods he enjoys that meet his dietary needs. That’s important when he’s experiencing chronic health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

His Health Is Worsening

Your dad’s health is getting worse. He’s always had high blood pressure, but he now has heart disease, too. Maybe he had a mini-stroke and is taking medications to prevent a stroke. He needs someone to help him remember his medications, dietary needs, appointments, and exercise routines.

He Fell

Your dad fell while getting out of the shower. Since then, he’s nervous to be in the house alone, especially while he showers and dresses each morning. A caregiver offers a sense of security because he knows someone is there to help him.

Once you have a list of questions and concerns, call an agency. An expert in in-home care can go over your questions and concerns, and make sure you have the answers you need to arrange services. With in-home care, your dad is never alone when he doesn’t want to be.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering In-Home Care in Long Prairie, MN please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350